Jimmy Nambiro, the Presidential Assistant in charge of Education and Skilling at the Office of the President, has condemned the continued practice by some government school head teachers of charging parents registration fees for Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) examinations, despite the government fully covering the examination costs.
Nambiro made the remarks during a meeting with head teachers of government schools in Nakaseke District, where he warned school administrators to stop extorting parents through illegal charges imposed on learners.
He stressed that any head teacher found demanding UNEB registration fees from parents would face legal action, describing the practice as an act of corruption.
"The government already pays UNEB examination fees for learners in government schools. Any head teacher who continues to demand registration money from parents is committing an illegal act and will be prosecuted," Nambiro said.
The meeting was marked by anxiety among some head teachers, many of whom have reportedly been collecting Shs80,000 or more per candidate as UNEB registration fees despite being fully aware that the government meets these costs.
Nambiro also reminded school administrators that expelling learners from school is unlawful and should never be used as a means of compelling parents to pay unauthorized charges.
Responding to the concerns, the Nakaseke District Chairperson of the Uganda National Teachers' Union (UNATU), Emmanuel Kintu, acknowledged the issues raised and assured officials that head teachers would discontinue the illegal practice.
The meeting was attended by several district leaders, including Nakaseke District Chairperson Ignatius Koomu Kiwanuka, Resident District Commissioner Rosemary Byabashaija, Chief Administrative Officer Muramira Aggrey Winston, and district education officials. The leaders pledged to work together to improve education standards and ensure full implementation of government education policies.
Nambiro urged all government school administrators to operate strictly within the law and adhere to education regulations, warning against exploiting parents and learners through unauthorized charges.
Meanwhile, several head teachers have already been summoned to record statements with law enforcement agencies and are under investigation over allegations of illegally demanding money from parents in violation of government regulations governing public schools.